Chair with lift assist apparatus

ABSTRACT

An improved chair is provided having an apparatus for assisting an occupant in exiting the chair. The chair is comprised of a body movably mounted on a base between normal and tilted forward positions. The occupant is able to more easily exit the chair in the tilted forward position. The apparatus is comprised of an elongated member, pivoting assembly, and wheel assembly at one end of the elongated member for contacting a surface. One end of the elongated member is pulled to cause the chair to move from the normal position to the tilted forward position. The elongated member urges a wheel in the wheel assembly against the surface. The wheel imparts a force into the elongated member which urges a rear side of the chair upward causing the chair to move to the tilted forward position. When the elongated member is released, the chair returns to the normal position by gravity.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to furniture, and more particularly, to an improved chair having an apparatus for moving the chair into a tilted position facilitating exiting the chair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Chairs such as reclining chairs are well known in the art. Reclining chairs allow an occupant to move the chair between uptight and reclined positions. The reclined position is considered to be more comfortable for the occupant. Typically, an internal mechanism allows the chair to move between the upright and reclined positions. Unfortunately, for many people such as elderly people, it can be difficult to exit the chair even when in the upright position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the invention, there is provide an improved chair having an apparatus for aiding an occupant from exiting the chair. The apparatus is comprosed of a base structure; a body movably mounted to the base structure capable of movement between a first and second position; a pivot assembly mounted on the body of the chair; an elongated member connected to the pivot assembly, said elongated member being offset in an axial direction and having a second end; and a wheel assembly connected at the second end of the elongated member including a rotatable member configured for rollably engaging a surface; wherein the elongated member pivots about the mounting plate when the first end is urged in a first direction and the rotatable member is urged against a floor surface moving the chair from the first position to the second position.

In an embodiment of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for aiding an occupant from exiting a chair. The apparatus is comprised of a pivot assembly mounted to the chair; an elongated member pivotally connected to the pivot assembly, said elongated member being offset in an axial direction and having a second end; a wheel assembly connected at the second end of the elongated member including a rotatable member configured for rollably engaging a surface; wherein the elongated member pivots about the mounting plate when the first end is urged in a first direction and the rotatable member is urged against a floor surface moving the chair from a first position to a second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the apparatus for assisting occupants from exiting a chair will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a chair having an apparatus for assisting an occupant in exiting the chair according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the chair and apparatus of FIG. 1 with the chair and apparatus in the normal position.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the chair and apparatus of FIG. 1 with the chair and apparatus in the tilted forward and in-use position.

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the apparatus of FIGS. 1-3 removed from a section of the chair.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are merely schematic representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. The drawings are intended to depict only typical embodiments of the invention and, therefore, should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present application discloses an improved chair having an apparatus or device for assisting an occupant from exiting a chair, including but not limited to, the reclining chair 50 shown in FIGS. 1-3. The chair 50 is capable from moving between a first upright position to a second reclined position as desired by the occupant. The chair 50 may include a lever (not shown) pulled by the occupant or other mechanism which allows the chair to move between the first upright position to the second reclined position. The chair 50 may include a footrest (not shown) which moves from a stowed position to an extended position when the chair 50 is moved from the upright position to the reclined position.

In an embodiment of the invention, the chair 50 includes a stationary base 51, a seat 53, a frame (not shown), and back rest 52. In the embodiment of the invention shown, the chair 50 is pivotally mounted on the base 51 so that the body of the chair comprising the seat 53, frame, and back rest 52 can pivot between a first or normal upright position (FIG. 2) and a second or tilted forward position (FIG. 3). In the tilted forward position, a front end of the seat 53 is lowered towards the horizontal 10 causing an upper surface of the seat 53 to be elevated. The elevation of the upper surface of the seat 53 assists the occupant in exiting the chair 50. In another embodiment of the invention, the body of the chair 51 may be mounted on a pair of rocker arms which enables the chair 50 to move between the normal position (FIG. 2) and the tilted upright position (FIG. 3).

The chair 50 can be moved between the normal position (FIG. 2) to the tilted forward position (FIG. 3) by the occupant by an apparatus such as the chair lift lever 100 mounted on one side of the chair. In the embodiment shown, the chair lift lever 100 is mounted on the left side of the occupant seated in the chair 50. Alternately, the lever 100 may be mounted on the opposite side of the chair 50.

The apparatus 100 is comprised of an elongated arcuate member or lever 101 (FIG. 4) having a first end offset in the axial direction from an opposing second end. The first end may have a gripping member 120 disposed thereon. The second end includes a wheel assembly 110 disposed thereon including a wheel member 113 for rollably contacting the horizontal surface 10. The elongated member 101 is pivotally attached to a plate 102 of a pivot assembly 90. The plate 102 is mounted to the side of the chair 50 as described below

The occupant seated in the chair 50 in the normal position (FIG. 2) who desires to exit the chair 50 may grasp grasping member 120 and pull in the direction of arrow F. The force imparted to the elongated member 101 through the pivot assembly 90 is transmitted to the wheel assembly 110. The wheel assembly 110 urges the wheel member 113 against the horizontal surface. As a result, the lower rear side is urged upward causing the chair 50 to move from the normal position to the tilted forward position. The wheel member 113 allows for the movement of wheel assembly 110 relative to the horizontal surface 10 as chair 50 moves between the normal position and the tilted forward position. After the occupant has exited the chair 50, the gripping member 120 is released and the chair 50 returns to the normal position by gravity.

Referring now to FIG. 4, shown is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus 100 removed from a section of the side of the chair 50. The apparatus 100 is comprised of the elongated arcuate member 101, which may be a tubular shaped member or other member. The gripping member 120 is disposed on a first end 101 c of the elongated arcuate member 101.

The wheel assembly 110 is disposed on the opposite or second end 101 a of the elongated arcuate member 101. The wheel assembly 110 is comprised of a base 111 having a socket 111 a for receiving the second end 101 a of the elongated arcuate member 101. The second end 101 a of the elongated arcuate member 101 may be welded or otherwise attached to base 111 such that base 111 is not free to move relative to the elongated arcuate member 101. Base 111 includes a pair of ears 112 extending downwardly forming a u-shaped recess where wheel member 113 is inserted. The ears 112 each have an aperture 112 a formed therein. Wheel member 113 likewise has an aperture 113 a formed therein such that when wheel member 113 is inserted into the u-shaped recess, a fastener such as a bolt 114 can pass through the apertures 112 a and 113 a to rollably secure wheel member 113 in the u-shaped recess. Washers 115 and nut 116 may be used with bolt 115 for facilitating the fastening of the wheel member 113 in the u-shaped recess.

The apparatus 100 includes the pivot assembly 90 which pivotally attaches to the elongated arcuate member 101. The pivot assembly 90 includes a base portion 103 which may be rotatably mounted on the plate 102 with a swivel utilizing ball bearings such as steel ball bearing for precision movement. A pair of tongues 104 extend in a cantilever fashion from the base portion 103 to form a u-shaped recess. The u-shaped recess receives the elongated arcuate member 101 and is pivotally attached therein with a fastener such as a bolt 105. Each of the tongues include an aperture 104 a for allowing the bolt 105 to pass therethrough. The elongated arcuate member 101 includes an aperture 101 b which the bolt 105 passes through for securing the elongated arcuate member 101 in the u-shaped recess. Washers 106 and 108 and nut 109 may be used with the bolt 105 to facilitate securing the elongated arcuate member 101.

The plate 102 of pivot assembly 90 is attached to the chair 50 with a plurality of fasteners such as bolts 107. The plate 102 includes a like number of apertures 102 a for receiving the bolts 107. During installation, a like number of holes are drilled into a frame member (not shown) of the chair 50. A backer plate 125 is inserted behind the frame member which includes a like number of apertures 125 a for receiving the bolts 107. During installation of the pivot assembly 90, the bolts 107 are inserted into the apertures 102 a of the plate 102 and apertures 125 a of backer plate 125. Washers 107 a and nuts 107 b may be used for facilitating fastening of plate 102 to the frame member and reinforced by the backer plate 125 to secure the pivot assembly 90 to the chair 50. It should be understood that the bolts 107, washers, 107 a and nuts 107 b are one means of attaching pivot assembly 90 to the chair 50 but any suitable means may be used.

The foregoing description of various aspects of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. 

1. A chair having an apparatus for aiding an occupant from exiting the chair, comprising: a base structure; a body movably mounted to the base structure capable of movement between a first and second position; a pivot assembly mounted on the body of the chair; an elongated member connected to the pivot assembly, said elongated member being offset in an axial direction and having a second end; and a wheel assembly connected at the second end of the elongated member including a rotatable member configured for rollably engaging a surface; wherein the elongated member pivots about the mounting plate when the first end is urged in a first direction and the rotatable member is urged against a floor surface moving the chair from the first position to the second position.
 2. The chair of claim 1, wherein the first position is a normal position.
 3. The chair of claim 1, wherein the second position is a tilted forward position.
 4. The chair of claim 1, wherein said rotatable member is a wheel.
 5. The chair of claim 1, wherein a gripping member is disposed on a first end of said elongated member.
 6. The chair of claim 1, wherein said pivot assembly includes a plate member configured for mounting on a frame member of the chair.
 7. The chair of claim 6, wherein the plate member includes a plurality of apertures for receiving fastening members for mounting the plate member on the frame member.
 8. The chair of claim 7, further including a backer plate inserted behind the frame member for reinforcing the plate member.
 9. The chair of claim 1, wherein the chair moves from the second position to the first position when the first end of the elongated member is released.
 10. An apparatus for aiding an occupant from exiting a chair, comprising: a pivot assembly mounted to the chair; an elongated member pivotally connected to the pivot assembly, said elongated member being offset in an axial direction and having a first and second end; a wheel assembly connected at the second end of the elongated member including a rotatable member configured for reliably engaging a surface; wherein the elongated member pivots about the mounting plate when the first end is urged in a first direction and the rotatable member is urged against a floor surface moving the chair from a first position to a second position.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first position is a normal position.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second position is a tilted forward position.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said rotatable member is a wheel.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a gripping member is disposed on a first end of said elongated member.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said pivot assembly includes a plate member configured for mounting on a frame member of the chair.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the plate member includes a plurality of apertures for receiving fastening members for mounting the plate member on the frame member.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, further including a backer plate inserted behind the frame member for reinforcing the plate member.
 18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the chair moves from the second position to the first position when the first end of the elongated member is released. 